Abstract
Primary Subject area
Complex Care
Background
Caregivers of children with medical complexity (CMC) face many financial, social and emotional stressors related to their child’s medical condition(s). Previous research has demonstrated that financial stress among this population can have an impact on their housing situation. Families of CMC may face other unique housing challenges such as disability accommodations in the home and housing space and layout.
Objectives
The primary aim of this study was to explore families’ perspectives and experiences of housing need, and its relationship to their child’s health status as it pertains to CMC.
Design/Methods
We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to identify themes surrounding families of CMC’s experiences of housing need. Parents of CMC were recruited through purposive sampling from the Complex Care Program at a tertiary pediatric health sciences centre. Recruitment ceased when thematic saturation was reached, as determined by consensus of the research team. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Twenty parents completed the interview, of whom 89% were mothers and 42% identified a non-English language as their first language. Two major themes and five subthemes (in parentheses) were identified: 1) the impact of health on housing (housing preferences, housing possibilities, housing outcome as a trade-off) and 2) the impact of housing on health (health of the caregiver, health of the child). Some parents reported that their child’s medical needs resulted in specific preferences regarding the location and layout of their home. Parents also indicated that their caregiving role often affected their income and home ownership status, which in turn, affected their housing possibilities. Thus, the housing situation (location and layout of the home) was often the result of a trade-off between the parent’s housing preferences and possibilities.
Conclusion
Housing is a recognized social determinant of health. We found that among CMC, health also appears to be a significant determinant of housing as families reported that the health of their child impacted their housing preferences and the options available to them (possibilities). To support the health of CMC and their families, policies targeting improved access to subsidized housing, improved sources of funding and regulations allowing families who rent to make accessibility changes are vital. Future research should investigate the impact of household income on housing need and identify interventions to support appropriate housing for CMC.
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